Musical instrument bow



Oct. 14, 1941. M, NEBEL 2,258,998

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BOW Filed Dec. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvsmon: /& 17531761,

W} 4 I 74 75 BY ATTO RNEY.

Oct 14, 1941. v M. NEBEL 2,258,998

MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT BOW Filed Dec. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 68 55 INVENTOR:

marfinllibel,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BOW Martin Nobel, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application December 6, 1940, Serial No. 368,771

9 Claims.

This invention relates to bows used for playing musical instruments such as violins, cellos, and the like, provided with one or more strings, or other vibratory elements, which are actuated by drawing thereacross the hair, or strands, of such a bow; and more particularly to a new bow of this type provided with a novel replaceable strand unit, and a unique method of effecting the replacement thereof on the bow.

One object of my invention is to provide a new and improved bow for musical instruments of the indicated ty e.

Another object is to provide a novel replaceable hair, or strand unit, for such a bow.

A further object is to facilitate the rehairing,

or restranding of such a how, by a new method.

It is another object to provide such a bow with a hair, or strand unit having separable fastener means associated therewith.

- nother object is to provide a new bow of the type referred to, the construction of which embodies new, desirable, and advantageous features enabling the rehairing, or restranding thereof, without requiring much, or any, skilled attention.

Another object is to provide a new bow for mus cal instruments which consists of two separate and complete units partly or entirely connected by separable fastener means.

tion can be converted into one having the new features and advantages of my invention.

further object is to provide a musical instru- .ent how, the head and frog of which embody new and advantageous features of construction enabling the attachment and tensioning of the airs, or strands, in a better and more expeditious manner than possible with bows of the conventional type.

Another feature of the invention resides in the attainment of the indicated and other advantages a novel bow construction having substantiaily all the desirable attributes of construction and appearance of conventional type bows.

With these and other objects in View, which will become more readily apparent from the following detaine-d description of various illustrative and practical embodiments of the bow construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the new musical instrument bow, replaceable hair or strand unit, and method of replacing the latter, comprising the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a bow for musical instruments, comprising one embodiment of my invention.

2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the replaceable hair, or strand unit of the bow shown in Fig. 1, with the hairs, or strands thereof partly broken away.

3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the front end of the bow illustrated in 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the rear end of the bow illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the head illustrated in Fig. 3, but on a somewhat larger scale, and illustrates certain features of construction. I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, with a part of the frog broken away so as to expose certain details of construction.

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 4, with some of the elements removed.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective View of the rear end of the replaceable hair, or strand unit, shown in Fig. 2, with one of the elements thereof partly broken away.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of certain elements shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a key utilized to turn the screw spindle element which is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 4, 6 and '7.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the strand mounting device at the front end of the detachable unit illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan View of he device illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 1.5 is a bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the front end of the bow illustrated in Fig. 1, and shows a modified form of the strand mounting device more particularly depicted in Figs. 21, 22 and 23.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, but on a somewhat larger scale, of a modified form of construction.

Fig. 17 is a View similar to Fig. 6, but of a modified form of construction.

Fig. 18 is a perspective View, on an enlarged scale, of one of the elements illustrated in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 6, and illustrates another modified form of construction.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the elements illustrated in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the strand mounting device shown in Figs. and 16.

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a bottom plan view of the device illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22.

Fig. 24 is a top plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the strand mounting device at the rear end of the strand unit illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 25 is a side elevational view of the device shown .in Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a bottom plan View of the device shown in Figs. 24 and 25.

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 2l2'| on Fig. 6.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the band element which is detachably mounted on the front bottom extension of the frog, a illustrated in several figures throughout t drawings, and

Fig. 29 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the wedge retaining elements, shown more particularly in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate similar parts, the musical instrument bow of my invention comprises a flexible rod, or stick 39, a head 3|, a frog 32, which latter is adjustably connected with the rod by usual means comprising a screw spindle indicated at 33, rotatively mounted in the hollow end of the rod 30, and a nut 34 fixed to the frog 32, and mounted on the screw spindle 33. Adjustable positioning of the frog 32, along the rod 30, is effected in well known manner by turning a finger knob 35, fixed to the end of the screw spindle 33.

In accordance with common practice, the rod or stick 39 may be made of wood or other fiexible material suitable for this purpose, and the head 3| formed integrally therewith. The frog 32, may also be formed of the materials from which such devices are usually constructed.

The construction of the bow of my invention deviates, in one respect, from those heretofore available, in that I provide a hair or strand unit,

generally indicated by the numeral 36 (see Fig.2), designed to .be connected to the head 3!, and frog .32, by separable fastener means.

This hair or strand unit 36, is associated with the flexible rod 30, as shown in Fig. 1, and is adapted to actuate the vibratory elements or strings, of a musical instrument when drawn thereacross by a person utilizing the bow for this purpose.

One practical embodiment of the unit 36, comprises a multiplicity of strands 31 arranged in side-by-side relationship, so as to form a substantially solid continuous band 38. The length of .this band 33 is such that it extends from the head 3| to the frog 32, to a point on each of these elements permitting of its attachment in the manner hereinafter described.

The individual strands, or hairs 31, of the unit 36, may be of substantially the same or somewhat larger diameter, as the horse hair strands ordinarily employed in bows for musical instruments, and may consist of a material having the resin retaining and other characteristics adapted for this purpose. The strands may consist of natural or synthetic material such as so called Japanese gut, horse hair, metal, or of the more recently marketed synthetic product known commercially as Nylon, the general characteristics of which are disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,199,411, and further disclosed as a yarn embodiment for hosiery, in U. S. Patent No. 2,157,116. For further information concerning Nylon strands, or filaments, and their characteristics, reference may be had to the various U. S. patents assigned to E. I. du Pont de Nemours 8; Company, Wilmington, Delaware, which relate to this Nylon product. In general, any suitable strands of known natural or synthetic materials may be employed, provided, of course, that they embody the resin retaining and other characteristics which make them practical for this purpose.

At one end of the band 33, is provided a separable fastener device or element generally indicated by the numeral 39, formed of substantially rigid thin sheet material, such as metal. The element 39 comprises a part 49, provided I with an arcuate slot 4|, and a bifurcated part 42, which extends from the part 49, at an acute angl and is tapered toward its free end, as shown. A centrally located slot 43, extends from the free end of the part 42, to the arcuate slot 4|. The curve or configuration of the slot 4| is designed so as to accommodate the bights of the desired number of strands 31.

A rearwardly inclined slot 44, similar in shape and size to the part 42 of the device 39, is formed in the head 3|, to accommodate therein the part 42, of the separable fastener element 39. The part 42, and slot 44, consequently comprise complementary elements of separable fastener means for one end of th strand unit 36, and effect detachable connection of this unit with the head 3|, of the bow.

The slot 44in the head 3| may be conveniently formed by first providing in the head a cavity 45, substantially larger than the desired slot 44, and then filling in the cavity to within a short distance of the forward wall thereof with a suitably shaped block piece 46, wedged or otherwise secured in place.

At th other end of the band 35 is provided a separable fastener device or element generally indicated by the numeral 47, which is also formed of substantially rigid thin sheet material, such as metal. Th element 41 comprises a fiat part 48, having therein a transverse slot 49, and a longitudinally extending slot 5|.

When it is desired to provide a band 38, of

parallel strands 31, between the devices 39 and 41, which consists, for example, of Nylon, this can be effected by first mounting these devices in suitable holding means spaced apart a distance equal to the proper length of the band 38, and in the position occupied by these devices in Fig. 2. The end of a continuous Nylon strand is next passed through the slot 49 of the device 47 and looped about that part of the plate 48 opposite to the hooks 53. The loop so formed is then tied in position with a knot to thereby secure the end of the strand to the device 41,

with the loop extending from one end of the slot 49. The continuous Nylon strand is then extended to the device 39, passed across the bottom of the part 40, inserted in the guide slot 43, and placed in position in on end of the arcuate slot 4|, in line with the end of the slot 49 where the strand is tied in position, bent upwardly and passed across the top of the part 40, back to the device 41. The continuous strand is then extended across the top of device 41, insorted in guide slot 5|, positioned directly adjacent the loop already in position at one end of the slot 49, bent downwardly, brought across the bottom of the part 48, and again extended to the device 39. This procedure of passing the strand back and forth between the devices 4! and 39 and positioning them in the slots 49, and 4|, as described, is repeated until the slots 49 and 4| are filled with the bight portions of the strand, and a double layer of strands has been formed, one layer across the bottom of the parts 48 and 49, of the devices 41 and 39, and one across the tops of these parts. The last leg of the strand is then formed into a loop about one of parts 48 or 49, depending upon whether the last bight portion of the strand fills the end space in the slot 49 or 4|, and secured in place by first cutting the strand and then tying a knot, or in other suitable manner.

In order to prevent the strands 37 from laterally shifting in the slot 49, of the device 4?, and to keep them relatively positioned in desired manner, there are provided a multiplicity of short and very narrow spacer extensions or prongs 52. which partly extend into the strand receiving slot 49, and divide the strands 31 into groups relatively fixed with respect to each other.

To maintain the strands 3'! firmly connected with the element 41, a piece of adhesive tape 54 may be applied about the strands and the plate, as shown more particularly in 8, which depicts the tape partly broken away so as to expose the parts therebeneath. However, the strands 3'! may also be firmly connected with the element 4? in other suitable manner, as by applying an adx hesive substance.

Hook shaped members 53 are formed at one end of the part 48, adjacent the slot 51, which serve as means for separably connecting the rear end of the strand unit 35 with complementary engaging means on an element hereinafter described.

The frog 32 is of the same conventional size and shape as the frogs ordinarily associated with musical instrument bows, and is provided with a flat portion 60c of one element of a wedge retaining device 60. The forward surface of the portion See in turn contactingly rests against the forward inside wall 6| defining the cavity of the frog. Also slidably guided within the upper reduced portion of the cavity (see Fig. 27), is a nut 62, which is mounted on the threaded portion of the spindle 51, and is provided with an extension 63, having pin-like projections 64 protruding at opposite sides thereof.

The forward bottom end of the frog has a usual semi-circular extension 65 integrally formed thereon, on which is detachably mounted a conventional semi-circular band of metal 66, see Fig. 28. A removable wedge piece 6'! of wood or other suitable material, is positioned between the strands 3'! and the bottom of the extension 65, and serves to fixedly hold the strands 37 in desired spread-out position. The forward end of the wedge piece 61 is contactingly engaged by a portion of the rear surface of a nut 1U on the threaded stem Blld of the device 60. The stem of device 60 rests in a centralized longitudinally extending groove of the frog extension 65. It Will be clear from Fig. 6, that device 60 and nut 10 serve as adjustable means for retaining the wedge piece 67 in position when the portions of the strands 31, which are more or less lightly held in spread position by the Wedge piece, are pulled forward with sufficient force to cause them to slide past the same.

A bottom closure plate 68 is slidably mounted in dove-tail grooves 69 formed in the side walls H and 12 of the frog.

As more particularly illustrated in Fig. 6, the hook shaped members 53 of the strand unit 38, are adapted to be engaged with the pin-like projections 64 of the nut 62, thereby effecting a separable connection between the rear end of the unit 36 and the nut 62.

The rear end of the screw spindle 57 is square in cross-section, so that it may be engaged by a key 13 (Fig. 11) having an aperture T4 of similar, but slightly larger cross-section, formed in one end thereof.

From the foregoing description of one embodiment of my novel bow, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that numerous practical changes and modifications of construction are possible Within the spirit of the invention. To exemplify such possible modifications, I have illustrated a few practical variations in Figs. 15 to 23 inclusive.

Figs. 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 disclose a modified form of separable fastener device. or element, which may be used in place of the already described similar element 39 at the front end of the strand unit 35.

The modified device has certain structural parts and features which are common with the device 39, and such common parts are consequently indicated by the same reference characters having added thereto the exponent a. In addition to the said common features, modified device 39a is provided with extension parts 15 which are integral with the plate member 4%, and serve to more firmly maintain the device positioned against the head 3la, of the bow 39a. The extension parts 15 also serve to impart a desirable feature of appearance to the device 39a, par ticularly when viewed in position at the bottom of the head em, as illustrated in l". A slot l6 provides a further feature of the device 39a. As shown in Fig. 16, the slot 1% serves to permit the strands 3M to be more firmly anchored to the device 39a in that the strands may be first positioned in the slot Ma, by inserting them through the slot 43a, and the upper layer thereof then brought downwardly through the plate 45a by insertion sidewise in the slot '55 at the side of the device where this slot is This connection of the strands S'la also adds the advantage of bringing both the upper and lower layers thereof into intimate contact directly at the point of connection. To prevent the strands 37a from slipping out of the slot T3, after being positioned therein, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the slot is slightly curved at its open end, so that a strand detent member ll is formed directly adjacent thereto.

Fig. l8illustrates a modified form of separable fastener element 78, formed of sheet metal, which may be secured in place within the frog cavity 56a, by means of a small nail 19, as shown in Fig. 17. The element 18 is provided with hook-like projections 8| along one surface thereof, which are adapted to cooperate with the element 41a, of the strand unit 36a, to form a separable fastener means by which the rear end of the strand unit 36a may be detachably connected with the frog 32a, in a number of selective positions. By connecting the element 41a, with one or the other of the projections 8|, the initial tension in the strands 37a, of the unit 36a, can be adjustably increased or decreased.

A second modified form of separable fastener element 82, is illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20. In these figures, parts similar to those already described in connection with the other embodiments, are designated by the same reference characters, as previously, with the exponent b added. In this instance, a thin fiat plate of stiif sheet material such as metal, is provided with relatively spaced slots 83, and the ends of the plate 84 are bent at right angles so as to properly space the plate from the upper cavity wall 85 of a frog 322), which is structurally similar to, the frog 32a of Fig. 17. The element 82, can be forced into position in the cavity and held in position by frictional engagement of the ends 84 with the side walls of the cavity. or the element may be secured by means of a small nail 85, as shown in Fig. 19. The slots 83 in the element 82 are adapted .to cooperate with the element 41b of the strand unit 36b, to form a separable fastener means by which the rear end of the strand unit 35b may be detachably connected with the frog 32b, in a number of selective positions. As in the case of the modification illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, by connecting the element 47b, with one of the slots 83,'the initial tension in the strands 31b of the unit 33a can be adjustably increased or decreased. To facilitate'connection of the hook-like element Mb in the slots .83, the elements may be made of substantially right angular configuration, as shown in Fig. 19.

It will be noted that the modified frog constructions illustrated in Figs. 1'7 and 19 do not include the wedge retaining device consisting of the element 60, shown in Fig. 29, and the nut 78 (see Fig. 6). The reason for this is that with respect to the construction shown in Fig. 1'7, there is no relative movement between the wedge piece 61a and the portions of the strands 31a, and the latter may consequently be fixedly secured in properly spread position against the metal band 66a, by the wedge piece 61a. Similarly, respecting the frog construction of Fig. 19, there is no relative movement between the wedge piece 611) and the portions of the strands 3??) which are fixedly pressed against the metal band 66b by the piece 61b.-

Considering more particularly the first form of bow construction illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, Zl, 28 and 29, the method of removing the detachable hair or strand unit 38, from the bow of my invention, substantially comprises the following steps:

The rear end of the unit 36 is detached from the frog by first removing the wedge retaining nut 19, from the threaded portion Ella of the device 50; then sliding the band 36 forward from its position on the lower front frog extension 64 until it rests on the strands 31 at some distance from the extension 65; removing the wedge element 61; removing the bottom closure plate 68, by sliding it forward out of engagement with the dove-tail grooves 69; unhooking the elements .53 on the device 41, from the pins 64, on the nut 63. If the tension of the strands 31 makes the unhooking of the elements 53 difficult, the flexible rod 30 may be slightly bent or bowed to provide a slack in the strands 31, or the key 7.3 may be connected with the. rear end of the screw spindle 51, and turned until the nut 62 is moved to its farthest forward position in the frog cavity 56, thereby slackening the strands 37. When the strand unit 36 has been disconnected from the nut 64, the element 60 can be readily removed from its position, if desired.

In order to detach the front end of the unit 36 from the head 3!,it is merely necessary to withdraw the bifurcated part 42, of the separable fastener device 39 from the slot 44.

To replace the same, or a similar'new unit 36, on the bow, the procedure followed is substantially the reverse of the described method carried ou in detaching the unit. 1

However, before the rear end of the unit 36 is connected withthe nut 62, the strands 31 may be properly arranged in parallelism by combing them from the front to the rear, with a suitable comb; and before the wedge piece 61 is forced into the position shown in Fig. 6, the strands may be spread out laterally, so that the Wedge piece 6! will retain them in desired relationship at their point of connection with the frog. It will be understood that the wedge piece 57 will firmly hold the strands 37 in such position, but will not prevent movement of the strands 3'! between it and the band 56 when the nut 54 is adjustably moved along the screw spindle 51. During such movement of the strands 31, the wedge piece 61 will be prevented from moving forward, by the nut 70. The wedge piece 61 is shaped at the rear so that when it is properly seated and exerts the desired amount of holding or movement guiding pressure on the strands 31, the movementrearwardly of the latter-cannot move the wedge piece 61 in this direction. Referring to the modified frog constructions illustratedin Figs. 17 and 19, the attachmentand detachment of the rear end of strand units 36a or 36b is effected by a similar method to that described. However, since the adjustable positioning of the separable elements 41a or -lbrequires the removing of the bottom closure plate 68a or 68b, in each instance, the connection of the rear end of the strand units with these constructions is of a more permanent nature. That is, these constructions are more particularly designed to permit proper tensioning adjustment of the strand unit 36a 01 36b before the frog is completely assembled. For this reason, the wedge pieces 67a or 67b may also be more permanently mounted, as for example, by the application'of powdered resin, or an adhesive substance to their top surfaces as a means to retain the wedge pieces against movement. If desired, the wedge piece 67, of the frog construction illustrated in Fig. 6, may be similarly retained in position, in which case, the wedge retaining elements 50 and if can, 'of course, be dispensed with.

It will be obvious, therefore, that when the hair or strand unit 36, of the bow of my invention, becomes impaired or defective, it may be quickly and easily replaced by a new or perfect unit of similar construction, and that this can be accomplished without requiring much, or any skill on the part of the person performing this task.

Adjustment of the frog 32, along the rod 30, to vary the tension of the band of hairs or strands 31 as desired for use, is effected in the usual manner in which this is effected in conventional type bows. The finger knob 35 is turned to the right or to the left, thereby rotating the screw spindle 33 and moving the nut 34, and frog 32, forwards or backwards until the desired tension of the strands 31 is obtained.

In addition, further adjustment of the band of hairs or strands 31 may be effected by the new means embodied within the frog construction of my invention. This feature is of particular importance and value when the hairs or strands 31 are of a. material which is subject to shrinking, or lengthening, under varying weather or temperature conditions.

Of course, my new bow, the novel constituent parts thereof, and the unique method of rehairing or restranding the same, may be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head element; a frog element; a strand unit including a plurality of loops of a single synthetic strand; and means engaging the loops of said unit and said head and frog elements respectively.

2. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head element; a frog element; a strand unit including a plurality of loops of a single Nylon strand; means engaging the loops at one end of said unit and said head element; and means engaging the loops at the other end of said unit and said frog element.

3. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head element; a frog element; a plurality of strands arranged to extend from one of said elements to the other; and means for connecting the strands to one of said elements comprising a device having a strand positioning aperture, and a strand inserting slot extending from one edge of said device to the aperture.

4. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head element; a frog element; a plurality of strands arranged to extend from one of said elements to the other; and means for connecting the strands to one of said elements comprising a device having an arcuate strand positioning aperture. and a strand inserting slot extending from one edge of said device to the aperture.

5. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head element; a frog element; a plurality of strands arranged to extend from one of said elements to the other; and means for connecting the strands to one of said elements comprising a device having an elongated strand positioning aperture divided into a plurality of sections by strand separating members, and a strand inserting slot extending from one edge of said device to the aperture.

6. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head integrally formed on said rod; a frog adjustably connected with the rod having a hollow portion, a removable wall part slidably connected to its bottom, and a rigid band detachably mounted on the forward bottom extension thereof; a unit of strands; separable fastening means connecting one end of the unit with the head; an elongated member secured in the hollow portion of the frog; and means on the other end of said unit for efiecting a separable connection with said member at a plurality of points along its length.

7. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head integrally formed on said rod; a frog adjustably connected with the rod having a hollow portion, a removable wall part slidably connected to its bottom, and a rigid band detachably mounted on the forward bottom extension thereof; a unit of strands; separable fastening means connecting one end of the unit with the head; an elongated member provided with a plurality of spaced elements secured in the hollow portion of the frog; and means on the other end of said unit for effecting a separable connection with any of said elements.

8. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head integrally formed on said rod; a frog adjustably connected with the rod having a hollow portion, a removable wall part slidably connected to its bottom, and a rigid band detachably mounted on the forward bottom extension thereof; a unit of strands; separable fastening means connecting one end of the unit with the head; an elongated member provided with a plurality of relatively spaced apertures secured in the hollow portion of the frog; and means on the other end of said unit for effecting a separable connection with any of said apertures.

9. A bow of the character described comprising a flexible rod; a head integrally formed on said rod; a frog adjustably connected with the rod having a hollow portion, a removable wall part slidably connected to its bottom, and a rigid band detachably mounted on the forward bottom extension thereof; a unit of strands; separable fastening means connecting one end of the unit with the head; an elongated member provided with a plurality of relatively spaced projections secured in the hollow portion of the frog; and means on the other end of said unit for effecting a separable connection with any of said projections.

MARTIN NEBEL. 

